Meltdowns are a child’s (or an adult’s) way of communicating they are in a situation that is too much for them or they have reached their limits.  By Planet Autism There seems to be an overwhelming desire in all areas of life, to make people with autism fit into a neuro-typical (NT) way of being. Ap…

April 2, 2016 is World Autism Awareness Day – the Art of Autism seeking videos with the theme of #AutismSweets Cakes from around the world celebrating autism will be revealed on Saturday, April 2, 2016 Over 100 cake decorators from around the world have come together to bring autism acceptance and a…

“We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” –Franklin D. Roosevelt. By Lamar Hardwick Fear is a funny thing. It is not easily defined. Fear can present itself in different ways for different people. Fear is universal, but fear isn’t uniform. Perhaps that’s why it is so difficult to get a grasp on how…

“You’re autistic?” By Leanne Libas The first thing most people say when I disclose my autism is, “Really?! You don’t look autistic.” I have a love-and-hate relationship with that particular phrase. I love the reactions I receive from those who perceive me as a “normal person.” I …

Think of a 1 in 68 prevalence number in a nation of 318.9 million, then take the working ages between 18-69 and then enact the 75-85% unemployment number… By Michael John Carley Over the last five years, many new non-profits (and for-profits with consciences) have formed to answer the 75-85% u…

All the Weight of Our Dreams: On Living Racialized Autism, the first anthology of its kind – a call for donations by Lydia Brown Leaving Evidence I am a proud autistic of color working with the Autism Women’s Network to create the first ever anthology of art and writings by autistics of colo…

Bryant and Michael So many new things happening at Autistry. We welcome two new mentors to our Autistry staff, Bryant Luong and Matt Glenwright. Bryant has a degree in psychology from California State University, Fullerton and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in occupational therapy at Domini…

Update 2/29/2016 I’m collecting favorite quotes about autism from some of my favorite people. Please share your own in the comments and if I like it, I may add it to the list. 1. “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism,” Dr. Stephen Shor…

I got it. You had to be tough to be black. There was no crying, no picky eating, none of this I can’t look you in the eye. Humor was a way of toughening yourself up, because the world was going to be tough for us, so if you don’t have a sense of humor now, you had better develop one. By …

I believe much of my misery was rooted in my perceived inability to make thoughtful, empowered and meaningful choices in my life—choices about my thoughts, my attitude, my perspective, and my behavior. By Emily Grey Berman The Vision I always wanted to be a mother. I had this vision of raisin…

Downs Design® and NBZ Jeans® with  no buttons and zipperless jeans addresses dressing challenges for people with special needs. By Keri Bowers I recently ran across an amazingly altruistic clothing company and fell madly in love with both their clothing line and their central mission. As the mother …

Autistic people, diagnosed or not, are not here to prove themselves to you, me or anyone else by virtue of “how autistic they are.” By Jocelyn Eastman CN: A Teensy Bit of Vulgarity and Bad Language for effect I’m truly a lucky woman. I don’t have any diagnosed children who would have compelled…

By Michelle Damiata Autism is not just a disability; Autism is something that requires understanding and empathy. Autism is a mental disability that affects a child’s social skills and learning skills as well. It can also affect the way a child’s thinking and it can make it difficult to comprehend …

When disability is cool and collectible, it may seem like recognition, but there is too much room for marginalization. By Angela Weddle After reading The Art of Autism’s facebook post on the Creative Growth Studios, I was left with some realizations and questions both about the art world, in genera…